Fonterra Shareholders' Fund logo

FSF transitions to updated NZX Listing Rules

NZX Compliance23 June 2019FSFConsumer Staples

24 June 2019

TRANSITION TO UPDATED LISTING RULES


FSF Management Company Limited, as Manager of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund (FSF), is pleased to

advise that it intends to comply with the NZX Listing Rules dated 1 January 2019 from 1 July 2019.


FSF will be an issuer of equity securities for the purposes of the Listing Rules.




-ENDS-



Andrew Cordner

Company Secretary - Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund

FSF Management Company Ltd (Australian Registered Business Number 190 539 935, incorporated in New Zealand) is the

Manager of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund


taf@fonterra.com

Phone +64 9 374 9000

Private Bag 92032, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand; Fonterra Centre, 109 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, 1010

New Zealand

www.fonterra.com

---

NZX Regulation Decision
Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund (

FSF

) (NS)

Approval to List as an Issuer of Equity Securities

under NZX Listing Rule 1.1.2

Ruling on FSF’s Governing Document

Application for Rulings and Waivers from NZX Listing

Rules – 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.7.1, 2.8.1, 2.10.1, 2.11.1, 2.12.1,

2.20.1(a)(i), 2.20.1(d), 3.13.1, 4.1, 4.11.1, 4.12, 4.14.1,

4.14.2, 5.1.1, 5.2, 8.1.6(b), Appendix 3





24 June 2019








NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

2 of 30


Background

1. The approval from NZX Regulation (

NZXR

) for the Ruling and waivers set out in the decisions

below:

a. will not apply if the information provided by FSF is not, or ceases to be, full and

accurate in all material respects; and

b. takes effect from FSF’s transition to the 1 January 2019 NZX Listing Rules (the Rules)

has occurred.

2. This decision:

a. sets out NZXR’s approval of FSF Listing as an Issuer of Equity Securities, and a Ruling

that FSF Units are Equity Securities under the Rules;

b. sets out NZXR’s Ruling that FSF’s Trust Deed is its Governing Document; and

c. re-documents prior waiver and Ruling decisions granted by NZXR dated 23 October

2012 and 3 September 2014.

3. Capitalised terms that are not defined in this decision have the meanings given to them in

the Rules.

4. The information on which this decision is based is set out in Appendix One. This decision will

not apply if that information is not, or ceases to be, full and accurate in all material respects.

5. The Rules to which this decision relates are set out in Appendix Two.

Approval to List as an Issuer of Equity Securities

under Listing Rule 1.1.2

Decision

6. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR:

a. approves the Listing of FSF as an Issuer of Equity Securities under the Rules; and

b. grants a Ruling that FSF Units (the Units) are Equity Securities under the Rules.

Reasons

7. In coming to the decision set out in paragraph 6, NZXR has considered that:

a. the reason why FSF wishes to ensure that the Units be treated as Equity Securities is

to enable FSF to continue to operate as a key element of Trading Among Farmers

(TAF) in the same manner that holders of FSF Units (the Unitholders) are familiar with

under the 1 October 2017 NZX Main Board and Debt Market Listing Rules (the old

Rules), without affecting those of its Unitholders where their investment mandates only

allow them to hold FSF units if FSF is an Issuer of Equity Securities;

b. FSF wishes to maintain a strong independent governance structure; and


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

3 of 30


c. Rule 1.1.2 was included in the Rules to allow Issuers to seek Listing as an Issuer of

Equity Securities where it is considered preferable to being Listed as an Issuer of Fund

Securities. Due to FSF’s historical listing status under the old Rules, it is appropriate

for NZXR to approve this Listing to assist FSF in ensuring it is able to operate in the

same manner as it does currently.

Ruling in relation to Governing Document

Decision

8. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR rules that FSF’s Trust Deed is FSF’s sole Governing Document under the

Rules.

9. This Ruling in paragraph 8 is conditional on the Trust Deed complying with the Rule

requirements, as modified by any rulings and waivers granted by NZXR.

Reasons

10. In coming to the decision in paragraph 8, NZXR has considered that by confirming FSF as

an Issuer of Equity Securities, both the Trust Deed and the Manager's constitution could be

considered Governing Documents of FSF based on the definition of Governing Document

in the Rules. Accordingly, NZXR considers it is appropriate to clarify that the Trust Deed is

FSF’s sole Governing Document.

Waivers from Listing Rules 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.7.1 and 2.8.1

Decision

11. Subject to the conditions in paragraph 12, and on the basis that the information provided to

NZXR is full and accurate in all material respects, NZXR grants FSF waivers from:

a. Rules 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 to:

i. allow Fonterra to appoint two directors to the Board of the Manager, as permitted

by clause 6.2 of the Manager’s constitution, even though Fonterra is not a

Unitholder in the FSF; and

ii. allow a precondition to be imposed in respect of persons who may be nominated

and appointed by Unitholders to fill three elected director positions, being that

those candidates be “Independent Directors” for the purposes of the Rules, as

required by clause 31.8(e) of the Trust Deed.

This is to ensure that the maximum number of director limits in the Trust Deed are not

exceeded, clause 31.8(h) of the Trust Deed provides, and FSF wishes to carry forward,

a rule that candidate(s) with the most votes will be appointed if more persons are

standing to be elected/re-elected than available positions.

b. Rule 2.7.1 to the extent that the Fonterra appointed directors are not subject to the

obligation to not hold office (without re-election) past the third annual meeting following

the director’s appointment of three years, whichever is longer, so that the Fonterra

appointed directors may only be removed by a direction from Fonterra in accordance

with the constitution of the Manager; and

c. Rule 2.8.1 to the extent that Fonterra may remove the Fonterra appointed directors

from the Board of the Manager in accordance with the constitution of the Manager.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

4 of 30


12. The waivers contained in paragraph 11 are subject to conditions that:

a. FSF bears a "Non Standard' designation to alert the market to the FSF's unique

governance arrangements; and

b. Fonterra appoints and removes the Fonterra appointed directors only in accordance

with the provisions of the constitution of the Manager and the Trust Deed.

Reasons

13. In coming to the decision to provide the waivers set out in paragraph 11 above, NZXR has

considered that:

a. in the context of the FSF, the Manager has a relatively constrained role given the

scope of its powers under the Trust Deed, consistent with the FSF being a passive

investment vehicle;

b. Fonterra has a stakeholder interest in the FSF, given that the FSF has been

established to facilitate TAF, which was developed as a means for the reduction of

Fonterra's redemption risk that existed under DIRA's requirement for open entry and

exit. Fonterra's ability to appoint and remove two Directors to the Manager is consistent

with the policy behind Rule 2.4 that allows a stakeholder to appoint and remove

directors to represent its interests;

c. The requirement that all persons nominated by Unitholders be "independent" will

ensure that the FSF has a minimum of three Independent Directors rather than a

minimum of two as required by Rule 2.1.1(c), and this majority of Independent

Directors provides an added protection to Unitholders. In addition, those Independent

Directors are subject to rotation in accordance with Rule 2.7.1;

d. FSF will need to comply with Rules 2.6 and 3.1 which will ensure the market has

visibility of those persons appointed and removed as Directors of the Manager; and

e. the conditions contained in paragraph 12 provide comfort to NZXR that information

concerning the unique governance arrangements that apply to the FSF will be publicly

available.

Ruling on Listing Rule 2.10.1

Decision

14. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a Ruling on Rule 2.10.1 that no Director of the Manager is

“interested” in any matter, within the meaning assigned to that term in section 139 of the

Companies Act 1993, merely because that person is a Director of the Manager.

Reasons

15. In coming to the decision to provide the Ruling in respect of Rule 2.10.1, NZXR has

considered that:

a. the policy behind Rule 2.10.1 is to prevent situations arising whereby Directors who

have a vested interest in a transaction may authorise the entry into, or implementation

of, matters that are detrimental to the interests of Unitholders as a result of that

“interest”;


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

5 of 30


b. the “interest” of the Directors of the Manager in this instance arises by virtue of the

unique operating and management arrangements of the FSF;

c. the Manager has a relatively constrained role given the scope of its powers under the

Trust Deed, and the status of the FSF as a passive investment vehicle; and

d. the Directors of the Manager will continue to be precluded by Rule 2.10.1 from voting

on Board resolutions relating to transactions entered into by the Manager or the FSF

with another entity in respect of which the Director would otherwise be “interested”.

Waivers from Listing Rules 2.11.1 and 2.12.1

Decision

16. Subject to the conditions in paragraph 17, and on the basis that the information provided to

NZXR is full and accurate in all material respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rules

2.11.1 and 2.12.1 to allow the Manager to pay remuneration to the Directors of the Manager

without approval by an ordinary resolution of Unitholders:

17. The waivers contained in paragraph 16 are subject to conditions that:

a. the income from the FSF cannot directly be applied in satisfaction of Directors’

remuneration; and

b. FSF bears a "Non-Standard' designation to alert the market to the FSF's unique

governance arrangements.

Reasons

18. In coming to the decision to provide the waivers set out in paragraph 16 above, NZXR has

considered that:

a. the policy behind the Rules is to ensure that directors cannot seek to reward

themselves without sufficient scrutiny by an issuer's security holders, and in the context

of the FSF, this concern is alleviated by the involvement of Fonterra in the negotiation

of remuneration payments; and

b. there is limited ability for Fonterra to influence the Directors of the Manager given the

FSF’s status as a passive investment vehicle.

Waiver from Listing Rule 2.20.1(a)(i)

Decision

19. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) to the extent that Rule

2.20.1(a)(i) would require the Trust Deed to incorporate by reference provisions consistent

with or having the same effect as Rules 2.8.1 and 2.10.1.

Reasons

20. The waiver provided in paragraph 19 above is necessary to ensure the waiver provided in

paragraph 11c and the Ruling provided in paragraph 14 are effective.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

6 of 30


Ruling on Listing Rule 2.20.1(d)

Decision

21. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR provides FSF a Ruling that the provisions contained in clause 4.5(c) of the

Trust Deed contain a “contrary intention” for the purposes of Rule 2.20.1(d).

Reasons

22. The Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 (

DIRA

) establishes a legislative framework within

which Fonterra must operate in relation to TAF. The Ruling provided in paragraph 21

ensures that a Ruling cannot be granted permitting an act under the Rules that would be

contrary to DIRA.

Waiver from Rule 3.13.1

Decision

23. Subject to the conditions in paragraph 24, and on the basis that the information provided to

NZXR is full and accurate in all material respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rule

3.13.1 to the extent it requires the Manager of FSF to release to the market details of any

issue, acquisition or redemption of Units related to Daily Trading (as defined in Appendix

One).

24. The waiver contained in paragraph 23 is subject to conditions that:

a. the Manager must give to NZX for release to the market details of the issues,

acquisitions or redemptions related to the Daily Trading for a calendar month in the form

as required under Rule 3.13.1, aggregating the information for each trading day to

provide monthly totals;

b. notices required under paragraph 24(a) must be provided to NZX no later than on the

first business day of the calendar month following the calendar month to which the

notice relates, and every such notice must clearly be identified as a monthly allotment

and redemption notice and include a reference that the notice is being made in reliance

on this waiver and where a copy of the waiver is available;

c. should Daily Trading result in a Gross Movement in the number of Units of more than

1%, either positive or negative, in one day, the FSF must give to NZX for release to the

market details of that day's issues, acquisitions or redemptions related to the Daily

Trading, as would be otherwise be required by Rule 3.13.1 by no later than on the

immediately following business day; and

d. every notice made under paragraph 24(a) must clearly be identified as a monthly

allotment and redemption notice and include a reference that the notice is being made

in reliance on this waiver and where a copy of the waiver is available.

Reasons

25. In coming to the decision to provide the waiver in respect of Rule 3.13.1, NZXR has

considered that:

a. the information under Rule 3.13.1 is generally required to inform investors of the

dilutionary effect on their quoted securities when securities are issued, acquired or

redeemed. The structure of the FSF is such that each Unit relates to the Economic


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

7 of 30


Rights of a Fonterra share held in trust by the Custodian on behalf of the Trustee. Each

Unit entitles the holder to these Economic Rights. While Daily Trading alters the number

of Units, Daily Trading does not alter this one-for-one relationship between Units and

the Economic Rights of Fonterra shares. Accordingly, Daily Trading does not have a

dilutionary effect on the value of the Units and granting this waiver will not offend the

policy behind Rule 3.13.1;

b. the waiver is limited to Daily Trading only, and would not apply to other issues,

acquisitions or redemptions of Units (for example, a bonus issue of Units as a result of a

bonus issue in respect of Fonterra shares), which could affect the value of Units;

c. in the absence of the waiver, notifications would need to be made on an almost daily

basis, and any notifications of events which could have a dilutionary effect on the value

of the Units may not be highlighted due to the high number of announcements, meaning

the policy intention of this Rule would not be met;

d. the average daily Gross Movement and average daily Net Movement in the number of

Units as a result of Daily Trading is minimal, representing approximately 0.1% of the

total number of Units currently on issue. The market is well aware that changes of this

level can be expected due to the structure of the FSF. Should there be a substantial

movement in the number of Units on issue during one trading day, the conditions of the

waiver require that a notification, as otherwise required under Rule 3.13.1, be made to

the market;

e. the Manager considers, and NZXR agrees, that the Daily Trading information is

generally not of any significant value to Unitholders (or Fonterra shareholders). Further,

NZXR considers there will be no detrimental impact on Unitholders or Fonterra

shareholders if they receive notifications in relation to Daily Trading on a monthly basis;

and

f. had FSF sought to List as an of Issuer of Fund Securities, Rule 3.13.2 would have

exempted FSF from the Daily Trading notifications on a similar basis as the conditions

of the waiver sought.

Waiver from Listing Rule 4.1

Decision

26. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rule 4.1 to allow the Manager of the FSF to

issue Units as set out in the Trust Deed, to both permit an issue of Units to be made to a

transferor of a Fonterra share as well as to minor issuances made by Fonterra, without the

need for Unitholder approval.

Reasons

27. In coming to the decision to provide the waiver in respect of Rule 4.1, NZXR has

considered that:

a. the ability for the Manager of the FSF to issue Units in exchange for Fonterra shares is

essential to the operation of TAF and this, together with reliance on the existing waiver,

was clearly set out in the Offer Document; and

b. the Manager of the FSF may issue Units in order to mirror issues by Fonterra (for

example if Fonterra was to undertake a bonus issue the FSF would


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

8 of 30


contemporaneously undertake a bonus issue to preserve the one for one nature

between Units and Fonterra shares); and

c. the Trust Deed prescribes the basis on which the FSF can issue Units.

Waiver from Listing Rule 4.11.1

Decision

28. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rule 4.11.1 in respect of the pricing of Units

issued in accordance with the Trust Deed to reflect Fonterra shares transferred or issued to

the Custodian.

Reasons

29. In coming to the decision to provide the waiver in respect of Rule 4.11.1, NZXR considered

that the Trust Deed sets out the provisions for the issue of Units, and the Manager has no

discretion as to the pricing of the Units. Accordingly, the protection in Rule 4.11.1 is

unnecessary.

Waiver from Listing Rule 4.12

Decision

30. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rule 4.12 to allow the Manager of the FSF to

pass on any Benefit or Distribution (as defined in the Trust Deed) to Unitholders that

Fonterra passes on to shareholders, as required by the Trust Deed.

Reasons

31. In coming to the decision to provide the waiver in respect of Rule 4.12, NZXR considered

that:

a. the distribution by the FSF of Benefits and Distributions to Unitholders as permitted by

the Trust Deed to reflect those provided by Fonterra to shareholders is integral to the

operation of TAF, the FSF and the FSM; and

b. the manner in which the FSF may distribute such Benefits was fully and accurately

disclosed in the Offer Document which provides comfort that Unitholders are fully

informed as to the non-application of Rule 4.12.

Waiver from Listing Rules 4.14.1 and 4.14.2

Decision

32. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rules 4.14.1 and 4.14.2 to the extent necessary

to allow the Manager to redeem Units as required by the Trust Deed.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

9 of 30


Reasons

33. In coming to the decision to provide the waivers in respect of Rules 4.14.1 and 4.14.2,

NZXR considered that:

a. the ability for the Manager of FSF to redeem Units on the basis set on in the decision in

paragraph 32 above is integral to the operation of TAF, the FSF and the FSM; and

b. the principles underlying TAF, as was clearly disclosed in the Offer Document, include

that the FSF must match on a one-for-one basis the redemption of Units by Permitted

Persons, with the Custodian transferring one Fonterra share in respect of each Unit

redeemed to the relevant Permitted Person.

Ruling on Listing Rule 5.1.1 and the definition of

“Material Transaction”

Decision

34. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a Ruling that each and any:

a. acquisition or disposition of Economic Rights of Shares in accordance with the Trust

Deed; and

b. issue or redemption of Units in accordance with the Trust Deed;

are not a "series of linked or related transactions" for the purposes of Rule 5.1.1, and are

not a "related series of transactions" for the purposes of the definition of “Material

Transaction” in the Glossary of the Rules.

Reasons

35. In coming to the decision to provide the Ruling in paragraph 34, NZXR considered that:

a. the acquisition and disposition of Economic Rights and the issue and redemption of

Units reflect the ordinary course of business of the FSF and the investment mandate of

the FSF as prescribed in the Trust Deed;

b. there is no necessary relationship between each issue of Units, redemption of Units or

acquisition of Economic Rights - rather these are ongoing activities of the FSF; and

c. a Related Party would be unable to influence the FSF's decision to issue or redeem

Units or to acquire the Economic Rights as these activities are required to be

conducted in the manner prescribed in the Trust Deed.

Waivers from Listing Rules 5.1.1 and 5.2

Decision

36. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a waiver from Rule 5.1 from the requirements in Rules 5.1 and

5.2 that respectively require shareholder approval for a major transaction or a Material

Transaction with a Related Party, to allow the termination provisions of the Trust Deed to


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

10 of 30


operate as intended such that if the Fund is terminated, Fonterra or a nominee may acquire

the Economic Rights held for the FSF or the Shares held for the Custodian.

Reasons

37. In coming to the decision to provide the Ruling in paragraph 36, NZXR considered that:

a. the termination provisions in the Trust Deed were fully disclosed in the Offer Document

and are a term of the Units;

b. the nature of the investments of the FSF are such that they cannot be freely held by

other parties, and therefore to facilitate the termination of the FSF, it is likely that

Fonterra or the nominee will be the purchaser; and

c. the mischief with which Rules 5.1.1 and 5.2 are concerned is not present if the FSF

termination provisions are exercised.

Approval under Listing Rule 8.1.6(b)

Decision

38. Subject to the condition in paragraph 39, and on the basis that the information provided to

NZXR is full and accurate in all material respects, NZXR grants FSF approval for the

restrictions contained in the Trust Deed allowing the Manager to refuse to:

a. register a holding that would cause a Unitholder and its associates (other than

Fonterra) to have a relevant interest (as that term is defined in the Financial Markets

Conduct Act 2013) in more than 15% of Units on issue or voting rights, and may

require a sell down if this level is exceeded; and

b. register a holding that would cause the FSF to become ineligible as a Portfolio

Investment Entity or Foreign PIE, or would operate to threaten any such eligibility.

39. The approval contained in paragraph 38 is subject to the condition that FSF bears a Non-

Standard designation to act as notification to the market of this matter.

Reasons

40. In coming to the decision to provide the approval in paragraph 38, NZXR considered that:

a. the 15% ownership restriction was clearly disclosed in the Offer Document;

b. DIRA requires the Unitholder's consent to any change in the limit of Units that can be

held by a person or entity. If Fonterra was unable to apply the ownership restriction

this would amount to a change to the scope of the Fund which is a right attributed to

the Fonterra Unit; and

c. it is appropriate to allow the Manager to refuse transfers that could cause the FSF's tax

status to be negatively affected.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

11 of 30


Ruling on Appendix 3

Decision

41. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material

respects, NZXR grants FSF a Ruling that a transfer of Units to Fonterra will never be a

Restricted Transfer for the purposes of Appendix 3 where section 161A of DIRA operates to

prohibit Fonterra from exercising voting rights in respect of any Units that it holds.

Reasons

42. In coming to the decision to provide the approval in paragraph 41, NZXR considered that it

is inappropriate for the takeover provisions contained in Appendix 3 to apply to a Transfer

of Units to Fonterra in the circumstance where DIRA prohibits Fonterra from voting those

Units, as Fonterra will not be able to increase its control by virtue of such a Transfer.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

12 of 30


Appendix One


Background

1. The Fonterra Shareholders’ Funds (

FSF

) is a Listed Issuer with units quoted on the NZX

Main Board and the Australian Securities Exchange (as a foreign exempt listing).

2. FSF is a unitised investment trust established as the "Authorised Fund" under the Fonterra

Co- operative Group Limited (

Fonterra

) constitution. FSF is a managed investment

scheme (

MIS

) under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (

FMCA

) and its Governing

Document is the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund Trust Deed dated 23 October 2012, as

amended from time to time (the

Trust Deed

). Units in the FSF (the

Units

), are "managed

investment products" under the FMCA.

3. The purpose of the FSF is to enable members of the public to invest in the economic

performance of Fonterra. The FSF also supports liquidity in the Fonterra Shareholders'

Market (

FSM

), which is a private market operated by the NZX that allows farmer

shareholders to trade shares in Fonterra (

Shares

) among themselves (

Trading Among

Farmers

or

TAF)

.

4. The trustee/supervisor of the FSF is The New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Limited

(

the Trustee

).

5. The manager of the FSF is the FSF Management Company Limited (the

Manager

). The

Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trustee Executors Limited (

TEL

) in accordance

with the terms of a Shareholding Deed executed by the Manager, TEL and Fonterra on 23

October 2012.

6. Underlying the FSF are Shares held by Fonterra Farmer Custodian Limited (

Custodian

).

The Custodian is owned by the trustees of the Fonterra Farmer Custodian Trust (

FFCT

).

The Custodian has declared a trust in respect of the “

Economic Rights

" of the Shares it

holds from time to time under the FSF arrangements in favour of the Trustee. The

Economic Rights in a Share include, for example, the right to receive dividends paid on the

Share. For each such Share held by the Custodian, the Manager is required to issue a Unit

in the FSF. In this way, the FSF is designed to have the effect that each Unit on issue in the

FSF will represent the Economic Rights derived from a single Share.

7. The trustees of the FFCT also hold a special unit (

Fonterra Unit

) that gives them certain

rights to ensure the Trust Deed is not amended where such an amendment would have

certain prescribed effects.

8. The Fonterra Unit and the TAF structure is recognised in the Dairy Industry Restructuring

Act 2001 (

DIRA

).

9. The wider investment community is given the opportunity to invest in Units as follows:

a. Fonterra farmers who own Shares, the Custodian (on behalf of a registered volume

provider (RVP)) and Fonterra (together Permitted Persons) can sell and transfer legal

title to Shares to the Custodian.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

13 of 30


b. The FSF then issues an equal number of Units to the transferor of that Share (except

where the transferor is Fonterra), and the transferor must, if they are a farmer

shareholder, then sell that Unit on the NZX Main Board or the ASX to any person.

c. Each Unit entitles the holder to the Economic Rights derived from the corresponding

Share and can be traded further on the NZX Main Board and the ASX.

d. The FSF structure has been designed with the intention that Shares and Units should

trade at very similar prices and the RVP’s role is to promote liquidity of trading in Units

and Shares, and to seek to ensure that the traded prices of Units and Shares are

aligned.

e. Any Permitted Person may acquire Units on the FSF and require FSF to redeem those

Units. Upon redemption of each Unit, the Custodian will transfer one Share to the

relevant Permitted Person.

f. This effective “exchange” of Units for Shares and vice versa promotes price

convergence between Units and Shares which is critical to TAF.

g. As a result of the above arrangements, Units are continuously allotted and redeemed

(known as Daily Trading).

10. As the FSF is designed to track the performance of Shares, there is no investment

discretion. Instead the FSF is a passive investment vehicle (i.e, it will not actively solicit

Economic Rights or the redemption of Units except for the initial offer made in the course of

establishment of the FSF). The key concept underpinning the FSF is a one-to-one

correspondence between Shares and Units described above.

Application for Ruling to deem Units as Equity Securities, and to List as an Issuer of

Equity Securities

11. Due to the creation of a specific regime for MIS in the 1 January 2019 NZX Listing Rules

(the

Rules

), certain requirements that apply to Issuers of Equity Securities would no longer

apply to FSF if it were to transition to the Rules as an Issuer of Fund Securities.

12. Given the unique TAF structure, and the importance of the FSF to TAF and the FSM as

outlined in the Background above, FSF wishes to continue to operate in the same manner

that Unitholders are familiar with under the 1 October 2017 NZX Main Board and Debt

Market Listing Rules (the

old Rules

), without affecting those of its Unitholders where their

investment mandates only allow them to hold Units if FSF is an Issuer of Equity Securities,

and to maintain a strong independent governance structure.

13. Accordingly, the Manager has sought a Ruling from NZXR that FSF Units be deemed Equity

Securities, and has applied to List FSF as an Issuer of Equity Securities under Rule 1.1.2.

Application for Ruling in relation to FSF’s Governing Document

14. Subject to the Manager receiving NZXR’s approval to List FSF as an Issuer of Equity

Securities, there is potential for both FSF’s Trust Deed and the Manager’s constitution to be

considered Governing Documents based on limbs (a) and (d) in the definition of Governing

Document in the Glossary of the Rules. Accordingly, there may be unintended

consequences such as the requirement for the Manager’s constitution to incorporate certain

provisions from the Rules that are inappropriate given FSF’s structure.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

14 of 30


15. The Manager has therefore sought clarification that for the purposes of the Rules, FSF’s

sole Governing Document is its Trust Deed.

Application for waivers from, or rulings in respect of, various requirements in the NZX

Listing Rules

16. Due to the structure of FSF, certain requirements in the Rules that apply to Issuers of

Equity Securities either cannot apply to FSF, or would create adverse effects.

17. The Manager considers that there have been no substantive policy changes between the

old Rules in respect of which the existing waivers and rulings are granted, and the updated

Rules that would impact on the decision.

Listing Rules 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.7.1 and 2.8.1 – Appointment, Nomination, Rotation and

Removal of Directors

18. The Trust Deed requires the Manager’s constitution to provide for a fixed number of five

directors, with three directors to be elected by Unitholders and two directors to be appointed

and removed by Fonterra. This composition is inconsistent with the Rules. Accordingly,

the Manager of FSF has sought waivers from:

a. Rules 2.3.1. and 2.3.2 to:

i. allow Fonterra to appoint two directors to the Board of the Manager even though

Fonterra is not a Unitholder in the FSF, as permitted by clause 6.2 of the

Manager’s constitution; and

ii. allow a precondition to be imposed in respect of persons who may be nominated

and appointed by Unitholders to fill three elected director positions, being that

those candidates be “independent directors” for the purposes of the Rules, as

required by clause 31.8(e) of the Trust Deed.

To ensure that the maximum number of director limits in the Trust Deed are not

exceeded, clause 31.8(h) of the Trust Deed provides, and FSF wishes to carry forward,

a rule that candidate(s) with the most votes will be appointed if more persons are

standing to be elected/re-elected than available positions.

b. Rule 2.7.1 to the extent that the Fonterra nominated directors are not subject to the

obligation to not hold office (without re-election) past the third annual meeting following

the director’s appointment of 3 years, whichever is longer, so that the Fonterra

appointed directors may only be removed by a direction from Fonterra in accordance

with the constitution of the Manager.

c. Rule 2.8.1 to the extent that Fonterra may remove its appointed directors from the

Board of the Manager in accordance with the constitution of the Manager.

19. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. the Manager has a relatively constrained role given the scope of its powers under

the Trust Deed, consistent with the FSF being a passive investment vehicle;

b. Fonterra has a stakeholder interest in the FSF, given that the FSF has been

established to facilitate TAF, which was developed as a means for the reduction of

Fonterra’s redemption risk that existed under DIRA’s requirement for open entry and


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

15 of 30


exit. Fonterra’s ability to appoint and remove two directors to the Manager is

consistent with the policy behind Rule 2.4 that allows a stakeholder to appoint and

remove directors to represent its interests;

c. the requirement that all persons nominated by Unitholders be “independent” will

ensure that the FSF has a minimum of three Independent Directors rather than a

minimum of two as required by Rule 2.1.1(c), and this majority of Independent

Directors provides an added protection to Unitholders. In addition, those Independent

Directors are subject to rotation in accordance with Rule 2.7.1; and

d. the FSF will need to comply with Rules 2.6 and 3.1 which will ensure the market has

visibility of those persons appointed and removed as directors of the Manager.

Listing Rule 2.10.1 – Interested Directors

20. The Manager of FSF sought a Ruling that no Director of the Manager is “interested” in any

matter, within the meaning assigned to that term in section 139 of the Companies Act 1993,

merely because that person is a Director of the Manager.

21. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. section 139(c) of the Companies Act 1993 states that a director is interested in a

transaction where the director is also a director of another party to, or person who will

or may derive a material financial benefit from, a transaction. As the Directors of the

Manager are also deemed to be Directors of the FSF, any transaction between the

FSF and the Manager which causes the Manager to derive a material financial benefit

will cause the Directors to be interested in the transaction and precluded from voting

under Rule 2.10.1;

b. the Directors of the Manager will need to pass resolutions in connection with the

operation of the FSF to enable the FSF to carry out its function and it would be

unreasonable, and not in the interests of Unitholders, if the Directors of the Manager

were not permitted to vote on such resolutions;

c. NZXR has confirmed that the policy underlying this Rule is to prevent situations

arising whereby directors who have a vested interest in a transaction may authorise

the entry into, or implementation of, matters that are detrimental to the interests of

Unitholders as a result of that “interest”;

d. the “interest” of the Directors of the Manager in this instance arises by virtue of the

unique operating and management arrangement of the FSF;

e. the Manager has a relatively constrained role given the scope of its powers under the

Trust Deed and the status of the FSF as a passive investment vehicle; and

f. the Directors of the Manager will continue to be precluded by Rule 2.10.1 from voting

on Board resolutions relating to transactions entered into by the Manager or the FSF

with another entity in respect of which the Director would be otherwise “interested”.

Listing Rules 2.11.1 and 2.12.1 – Director Remuneration

22. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from the requirements in Rules 2.11.1 and 2.12.1 to

allow the Manager to pay remuneration to the Directors of the Manager without approval by

an ordinary resolution of Unitholders.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

16 of 30


23. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. the fees payable by Fonterra are de minimis in light of the business of Fonterra and it

would be inconsistent to require Unitholder oversight of those fees where the other fees

payable by Fonterra in respect of TAF do not require such oversight;

b. in the context of the FSF, the Manager and its Directors have a relatively constrained role

given the scope of the Manager’s powers under the Trust Deed;

c. as Fonterra ultimately pays the Manager’s Directors’ fees, it is appropriate for Fonterra to

determine the amount of those fees;

d. NZX has confirmed the policy underlying these Rules is to ensure that directors cannot

seek to reward themselves without sufficient scrutiny by an issuer’s security holders and

in the context of the FSF, this concern is alleviated by the involvement of Fonterra in the

negotiation of remuneration payments; and

e. there is limited ability for Fonterra to influence the Directors of the Manager given the

FSF’s status as a passive investment vehicle.

Listing Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) – Contents of Governing Document - Incorporation by reference

24. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) to the extent that Rule

2.20.1(a)(i) would require the Trust Deed (which falls within the definition of Governing

Document under the Rules) to incorporate by reference provisions consistent with or having

the same effect as Rules 2.8.1 and 2.10.1 (on the basis of the waivers sought above).

Listing Rule 2.20.1(d) – Contents of Governing Document

25. The Manager of FSF sought a Ruling confirming that the provisions in clause 4.5(c) of the

Trust Deed constitute a “contrary intention” for the purposes of Rule 2.20.1(d).

26. Although clause 2.3 of the Trust Deed reflects Rule 2.20.1(d), it is expressed as being

“subject to clause 4.5(b)”.

27. Clause 4.5 of the Trust Deed provides for the FSF to issue Fonterra Units, to ensure that

the Trust Deed is not amended or altered without the Unitholders’ consent if such

amendment or alteration would have the effect as noted in clause 4.5(c)(i) – (v) of the Trust

Deed.

28. The DIRA establishes a legislative framework within which Fonterra must operate in relation

to TAF and specifically legislates for the Fonterra Unit referred to as the “veto security”

(refer section 161A).

Listing Rule 3.13.1 – Notices of issue of Financial Products

29. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from Rule 3.13.1 to the extent it requires the FSF to

release to the market details of any issue, acquisition or redemption of Units related to Daily

Trading.

30. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. NZXR has confirmed that the information under the previous Rule is generally required

to inform investors of the dilutionary effect on their quoted securities when securities

are issued, acquired or redeemed. The structure of the FSF is such that each Unit


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

17 of 30


issued by FSF relates to the Economic Rights of a Fonterra share held in trust by the

Custodian on behalf of the Trustee. Each Unit entitles the holder to these Economic

Rights. While Daily Trading alters the number of Units, Daily Trading does not alter this

one-for-one relationship between Units and the Economic Rights of Fonterra shares.

Accordingly, Daily Trading does not have a dilutionary effect on the value of the Units

and granting this waiver will not offend the policy behind Rule 3.13.1;

b. the waiver would be limited to Daily Trading only, and would not apply to other issues,

acquisitions or redemptions of Units (for example, a bonus issue of Units as a result of

a bonus issue in respect of Fonterra shares), which could affect the value of Units;

c. in the absence of the waiver, notifications would need to be made on an almost daily

basis, and any notifications of events which could have a dilutionary effect on the value

of the Units may not be highlighted due to the high number of announcements,

meaning the policy intention of this Rule would not be met;

d. the average daily Gross Movement and average daily Net Movement in the number of

Units as a result of Daily Trading is minimal, representing approximately 0.1% of the

total number of Units currently on issue. The market is well aware that changes of this

level can be expected due to the structure of the FSF. Should there be a substantial

movement in the number of Units on issue during one trading day the conditions of the

waiver require that a notification, as otherwise required under Rule 3.13.1, be made to

the market; and

e. the Daily Trading information is generally not of any significant value to Unitholders (or

Fonterra shareholders). Further, there will be no detrimental impact on Unitholders or

Fonterra shareholder if they receive notifications in relation to Daily Trading on a

monthly basis.

Listing Rule 4.1 – Issue of Equity Securities

31. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from Rule 4.1 to allow the FSF to issue Units as set

out in the Trust Deed, to both permit an issue of Units to be made to a transferor of a

Fonterra share as well as to minor issuances made by Fonterra, without the need for

Unitholder approval.

32. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. the ability for the FSF to issue Units in exchange for Fonterra shares is essential to the

operation of TAF and this, together with reliance on the existing waiver, was clearly set

out in the Offer Document; and

b. the FSF may issue Units in order to mirror issues by Fonterra (for example if Fonterra

was to undertake a bonus issue, the FSF would contemporaneously undertake a bonus

issue to preserve the one-for-one nature between Units and Fonterra shares).

Listing Rule 4.11 – Pricing of Unit issues

33. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from Rule 4.11.1 in respect of the pricing of Units

issued in accordance with the Trust Deed to reflect Fonterra shares transferred or issued to

the Custodian.

34. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that as fully and accurately disclosed in

the Offer Document, the Trust Deed sets out the provisions for the issue of Units and the


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

18 of 30


Manager has no discretion as to the pricing of the Units. Accordingly, the protection in Rule

4.11.1 is unnecessary.

Listing Rule 4.12 – Entitlement to Third Party financial products

35. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from the requirement in Rule 4.12 that the Securities

of a third party not be created or conferred other than in compliance with Rule 4.1 to the extent

necessary to allow the FSF to pass on any Benefit or Distribution (as defined in the Trust

Deed) to Unitholders that Fonterra passes on to shareholders, as required by the Trust Deed.

36. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. the distribution by the FSF of Benefits and Distributions to Unitholders as permitted by

the Trust Deed to reflect those provided by Fonterra to shareholders is integral to the

operation of TAF, the FSF and the FSM; and

b. the manner in which the FSF may distribute such Benefits was fully and accurately

disclosed in the Offer Document which provides comfort that Unitholders are fully

informed as to the non-application of Rule 4.12.

Listing Rules 4.14.1 and 4.14.2 – Redemption of Units

37. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from Rules 4.14.1 and 4.14.2 to the extent necessary

to allow the FSF to redeem Units as required by the Trust Deed.

38. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that the principles underlying TAF, as

clearly disclosed in the Offer Document, include that the FSF must match on a one-for one

basis the redemption of Units by Permitted Persons, with the Custodian transferring one

Fonterra share in respect of each Unit redeemed to the relevant Permitted Person.

Listing Rule 5.1.1 and definition of “Material Transaction”

39. The Manager of FSF sought a Ruling for the purposes of Rule 5.1.1 and the definition of

“Material Transaction” that the acquisition or disposal of Economic Rights, and the issue or

redemption of Units, in accordance with the Trust Deed are not “a related series of

transactions” for the purposes of Rule 5.1.1 and the definition of “Material Transaction”.

40. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. the acquisition and disposition of Economic Rights and the issue and redemption of

Units reflect the ordinary course of business of the FSF and the investment mandate of

the FSF as prescribed in the Trust Deed;

b. there is no necessary relationship between each issue of Units, redemption of Units or

acquisition of Economic Rights – rather these are ongoing activities of the FSF; and

c. a Related Party would be unable to influence the FSF’s decision to issue or redeem

Units or to acquire the Economic Rights as these activities are required to be

conducted in the manner prescribed in the Trust Deed.

Listing Rules 5.1.1 and 5.2 – Major Transactions and Related Party Transactions

41. The Manager of FSF sought a waiver from the requirements in Rules 5.1.1 and 5.2 to

seek Unitholder approval to allow the FSF to dispose of its assets as permitted by the

termination provisions of the Trust Deed.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

19 of 30


42. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. the termination provisions in the Trust Deed were fully disclosed in the Offer Document

and are a term of the Units;

b. the nature of the investments of the FSF are such that they cannot be freely held by

other parties and therefore to facilitate the termination of the FSF it is likely that

Fonterra or the nominee will be the purchaser;

c. NZXR confirmed in respect of the existing waiver that the mischief with which Rules

5.1.1 and 5.2 are concerned is not present if the FSF termination provisions are

exercised.

Listing Rule 8.1.6(b) – Transfer restrictions

43. The Manager of FSF sought approval under Rule 8.1.6(b) to allow provisions restricting

the transfer of relevant interests if that transfer would:

a. cause a Unitholder (together with its associates) other than Fonterra to hold or have an

interest in more than 15% of Units on issue or voting rights, and may require a sell

down if this level is exceeded (clause 6.1 of the Trust Deed); and

b. cause or threaten to cause the Trust [or the FSF] to become ineligible to be a Portfolio

Investment Entity or Foreign Investment PIE (clause 7.7 of the Trust Deed).

44. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that the above restrictions were

accurately described in the Offer Document, and the FSF currently bears a Non-Standard

designation to act as notification to the market of this matter.

Appendix 3 – Takeover Provisions

45. The Manager of FSF sought a Ruling that a transfer of Units to Fonterra will never be a

Restricted Transfer for the purposes of Appendix 3 because section 161A of DIRA prohibits

Fonterra from exercising voting rights in respect of any Units that it holds, so Fonterra

would not be able to increase its control by virtue of such a transfer.

46. In support of the application, the Manager submitted that:

a. although a transfer of Units to Fonterra could result in a change in the voting control of

the remaining Unitholders, this would not result in a Restricted Transfer in respect of

those Unitholders because the effective increase in the voting rights of the Unitholders

would be “involuntary and occasioned by the action of another party” (i.e, Fonterra);

b. the takeover provisions contained in Appendix 3 have been incorporated into the Trust

Deed and will otherwise apply to Unitholders who are insiders other than Fonterra,

when a Unitholder effects a Restricted Transfer; and

c. Clause 6.1 of the Trust Deed imposes a restriction on any person (other than Fonterra)

holding or having an interest in more than 15% of the Units on issue or the Voting

Rights and Rule 4.13 will apply.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

20 of 30


Appendix Two


Definitions

Equity Security has the meaning given in sections 8(2) and 8(5) of the FMC Act and also

includes a Right, subject to NZX's sole discretion to declare, by way of a

Ruling, a Financial Product to be, or not to be, an Equity Security (and

includes any Fund Security deemed to be an Equity Security under Rule

1.1.2).

Fund Security means a “managed investment product” as defined in sections 8(3) and

8(5) of the FMC Act in relation to a Managed Investment Scheme, subject

to NZX's sole discretion to declare, by way of a Ruling, a Financial Product

to be, or not to be, a Fund Security.

Material

Transaction means a transaction, or a related series of transactions, whereby an Issuer:

(a) buys, acquires, gains, leases (as lessor or lessee), sells or

otherwise disposes of, assets having an Aggregate Net Value above

10% of the Issuer’s Average Market Capitalisation,

(b) issues its own Financial Products, or acquires its own Equity

Securities, having a market value above 10% of the Issuer’s

Average Market Capitalisation (except where Rule 4.5 applies or in

the case of an issue of Debt Securities, in which case only the

market value of Financial Products being issued to any Related

Party or to any Employees of the Issuer are to be taken into

account),

(c) borrows, lends, pays or receives money, or incurs an obligation of

an amount above 10% of the Average Market Capitalisation of the

Issuer (except in the case of an issue of Debt Securities, in which

case only the nominal amount of Debt Securities being issued to

any Related Party or to any Employees of the Issuer are to be taken

into account),

(d) enters into any guarantee, indemnity, underwriting, or similar

obligation, or gives any security, which could expose the Issuer to

liability above 10% of the Average Market Capitalisation of the

Issuer,

(e) provides or obtains any services (including the underwriting of

Financial Products or services as an Employee) where the gross

cost to the Issuer in any financial year is likely to exceed an amount

equal to 1% of the Average Market Capitalisation of the Issuer, or

(f) undertakes an amalgamation, except for amalgamations of a wholly

owned Subsidiary with another wholly owned Subsidiary or with the

Issuer.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

21 of 30


Rule 1.1.2 Eligibility for Listing as an Issuer of Equity Securities and Quotation

of Equity Securities

The Manager of a Managed Investment Scheme may apply to List as an

Issuer of Equity Securities, and to have the Financial Products of the

Managed Investment Scheme Quoted as Equity Securities, rather than as

Fund Securities. If NZX accepts such an application, the Financial Products

will be deemed to be Equity Securities and not Fund Securities, and the

Rules (including Appendix 3) will apply accordingly.

Rule 1.18 Non-standard Listings

An Issuer, or applicant for Listing, which does not comply fully with all

applicable Rules may be Listed, at NZX’s sole discretion, with the

designation “Non Standard” or “NS”. Such an Issuer must ensure that any

advertisement (as that term is defined in section 6(1) of the FMC Act), Offer

Document, Profile or statement for distribution which refers in any way to the

Listing or to the Quotation of the Financial Products, and all annual reports

of that Issuer, state prominently:

(a) that the Issuer has a Non Standard designation, and

(b) where it is desirable, taking into account the context and the

relevance of the information to the recipients, the reasons for the

Non Standard designation.

Rule 2.3 Director Nominations and Appointment

2.3.1

No person (other than a Director retiring at the meeting) may be elected as

a Director at a meeting of an Issuer's Equity Security holders unless that

person has been nominated by an Equity Security holder who will be

entitled to attend and Vote at the meeting if he, she or it continues to hold

Equity Securities on the date on which the entitlement to attend and Vote at

the meeting is determined.

2.3.2

An Issuer must comply with the following Director nomination process:

(a) the closing date for nominations must be no more than two months

before the date of the relevant meeting at which the election is to

take place,

(b) the closing date for nominations must be announced to the market

at least 10 Business Days prior to such closing date,

(c) there must be no restriction on who may be nominated as a

Director, unless:

(i)

the Governing Document requires Directors to hold certain

Financial Products to qualify as a Director, or

(ii)

applicable legislation restricts who may be a Director of the

Issuer,


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

22 of 30


(d) subject to (c) above, there must be no precondition to the

nomination of a Director other than compliance with the time limits

in this Rule, and

(e) details of all nominations received prior to the closing date (and not

later withdrawn) must be included in the notice of the relevant

meeting.

Rule 2.7 Rotation of Directors

2.7.1

A Director of an Issuer must not hold office (without re-election) past the

third annual meeting following the Director's appointment or 3 years,

whichever is longer. However, a Director appointed by the Board must not

hold office (without re-election) past the next annual meeting following the

Director's appointment.

2.7.2

Rule 2.7.1 does not apply to Directors appointed by an Equity Security

holder under Rule 2.4.

Rule 2.8 Removal of Directors

2.8.1 All Directors (other than a Director appointed by an Equity Security holder

under Rule 2.4) must be subject to removal from office by Ordinary

Resolution.

Rule 2.10 Interested Directors

2.10.1

A Director must not vote on a Board resolution for, or be counted in a

quorum for the consideration of, any matter in which that Director is

interested. For this purpose, the term “interested” bears the meaning

assigned in section 139 of the Companies Act 1993. If the Issuer is not a

company registered under that Act, the reference to the “company” in that

section will be read as a reference to the Issuer.

Rule 2.11 Directors' Remuneration

2.11.1

No remuneration may be paid by an Issuer, or its Subsidiaries (unless such

Subsidiary is Listed), to a Director in his or her capacity as a Director without

prior authorisation by an Ordinary Resolution. Such resolution must

express Directors' remuneration as either a monetary sum per annum

payable to:

(a) all Directors of the Issuer in aggregate, or

(b) any person who from time to time holds office as a Director of the

Issuer.

2.11.2

A resolution for the purposes of Rule 2.11.1:

(a) must only be approved if notice of the amount of any increase in

remuneration has been given in the notice of meeting, and


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

23 of 30


(b) may provide that the remuneration may, in whole or in part, be

through an issue of Equity Securities, provided the issue is in

compliance with Rule 4.7.

Rule 2.20 Content of Governing Document for Issuers of Equity Securities

2.20.1

The Governing Document of each Issuer of Quoted Equity Securities must:

(a) incorporate by reference provisions consistent with, and having the

same effect as, the following provisions, as modified by any Ruling

relevant to the Issuer:

(i) Rule 2.1.1, Rule 2.2.1, Rule 2.5.1, Rule 2.8.1, Rule 2.9.1,

Rule 2.10.1 and Rule 2.10.2,

......

(d) provide that any Rulings authorising an act or omission which would

otherwise be in breach of the Issuer’s Governing Document will be

deemed to be authorised by the Governing Document unless the

Governing Document contains a contrary intention, and

......

Rule 3.13 Issues, acquisitions and redemption of capital

3.13.1 If an Issuer issues, acquires or redeems:

(a) Quoted Financial Products, or

(b) Financial Products Convertible into Quoted Equity Securities or

Options to acquire Quoted Equity Securities,

the Issuer must, subject to Rule 3.13.3, provide for release through MAP in

prescribed form (as applicable) details of:

(c) the Class of Financial Product and ISIN,

(d) the number of Financial Products issued, acquired or redeemed,

(e) the nominal value (if any) and the issue, acquisition, or redemption

price,

(f) whether payment was in cash,

(g) any amount paid up (if not in full),

(h) for an issue of Convertible Financial Products or Options, the

principal terms of Conversion (for example, the conversion price and

conversion date and the ranking of the Financial Product in relation

to other Classes of Financial Product) or the Option (for example,

the exercise price and exercise date),


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

24 of 30


(i) the percentage of the total Class of Financial Product issued,

acquired or redeemed (calculated on the number of Financial

Products of the Class, excluding any Treasury Stock, in existence

immediately prior to the issue, acquisition or redemption),

(j) the reason for the issue, acquisition or redemption,

(k) the specific authority for the issue, acquisition or redemption (if any),

(l) any terms or details of the issue, acquisition or redemption (such as

an escrow provision),

(m) the total number of Financial Products of the Class in existence after

the issue, acquisition or redemption (excluding Treasury Stock) and

the total number of Financial Products of the Class held as Treasury

Stock after the issue, acquisition or redemption,

(n) in the case of an acquisition of Equity Securities by an Issuer which

is a company registered under the Companies Act 1993, whether

those Equity Securities are to be held as Treasury Stock, and

(o) the dates of issue, acquisition or redemption.

Subject to Rule 3.13.2, notices required by this Rule must be released

through MAP within one Business Day after the issue, acquisition or

redemption. For the purposes of this Rule, the sale or transfer of Treasury

Stock by an Issuer is deemed to be an issue of Financial Products.

Rule 4.1 Issue of New Equity Securities

4.1.1 Except as provided in Rule 4.1.2, an Issuer must only issue Equity

Securities with approval by Ordinary Resolution in accordance with Rule

4.2.1.

4.1.2 An Issuer may issue Equity Securities, without approval by Ordinary

Resolution, by way of:

(a) a pro-rata Rights offer, bonus issue or a Share Purchase Plan in

accordance with Rule 4.3 and, if applicable, Rule 4.4,

(b) an issue under an Issuer’s 15% placement capacity in accordance

with Rule 4.5.1,

(c) an issue to Employees, in accordance with Rule 4.6, or

(d) other issues for dividend reinvestment plans, director remuneration,

takeovers, amalgamation, conversions and Minimum Holdings in

accordance with Rules 4.7 to 4.9.


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

25 of 30


Rule 4.11 Issue of discounted Equity Securities

4.11.1 If:

(a) an Issuer proposes to issue Equity Securities carrying Votes, or

Financial Products which are Convertible into Equity Securities

carrying Votes, under Rule 4.3.1(c), Rule 4.5.1 or Rule 4.6.1 (the

“Affected Securities”), and

(b) the issue price of an Affected Security is less than 85% of the

Average Market Price, then

(c) before issuing the Affected Securities, all Directors who voted in

favour of the resolution must sign a certificate that the consideration

for the Affected Securities is fair and reasonable to the Issuer and to

other Equity Security holders,

provided that:

(d) if the Issuer has more than one Class of Equity Securities Quoted,

the Quoted Equity Securities in Rule 4.11.1(b) refers to the Class

most like the Affected Securities or, in the case of Convertible

Financial Products, the Equity Securities into which the Affected

Securities Convert, and

(e) in the case of Convertible Financial Products, any consideration

payable on Conversion is at least 85% of the Average Market Price

of the Equity Securities into which the Affected Securities Convert.

Rule 4.12 Entitlements to Third Party Securities

4.12.1 Entitlements conferred by the holding of an Issuer’s Equity Securities to

Financial Products of a third party (whether or not that third party is an

Issuer), may not be created or conferred other than in compliance with

Rules 4.1 to 4.10, as if such Financial Products comprised an issue of

Equity Securities of the Issuer.

Rule 4.14 Buy Backs and Redemption of Equity Securities

4.14.1 An Issuer may only acquire or redeem Equity Securities of that Issuer by:

(a) an acquisition effected through NZX’s order matching market or

through the order matching market of an Issuer’s Home Exchange,

(b) an acquisition effected in compliance with:

(i) section 60(1)(a) (read together with section 60(2)) of the

Companies Act 1993,

(ii) section 60(1)(b)(ii) (read together with section 61) of the

Companies Act 1993, and:

(A) not made from a Director, or an Associated Person of

a Director, of the Issuer, and


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

26 of 30


(B) not of a size which would cause the number of Equity

Securities of the same Class acquired under this Rule

4.14.1(b)(ii) either in the 12 months preceding the

date of the acquisition or since the issuer was listed,

whichever is earlier, to exceed 15% of the total

number of Equity Securities of the same Class on

issue at the commencement of that period,

(iii) section 61(7) of the Companies Act 1993, or

(iv) sections 110 or 118 of the Companies Act 1993, or other

applicable legislation, if required by a shareholder pursuant

to such sections or legislation,

(c) a redemption in compliance with section 69(1)(a) of the Companies

Act 1993,

(d) an acquisition or redemption:

(i) approved in accordance with Rule 4.16.1,

(ii) of Equity Securities that were issued under Rule 4.6, or

(iii) from a holder who holds less than a Minimum Holding, or

(e) a redemption of Equity Securities issued in compliance with Rule

4.2.1 or 4.3, where the Issuer is bound or entitled to redeem those

Equity Securities pursuant to their terms of issue,

provided that for the purposes of Rule 4.14.1(b)(ii)(B):

(f) Financial Products which may convert to Quoted Equity Securities

are deemed to be of the same Class as the Quoted Equity

Securities into which they may convert, and

(g) the Financial Products referred to in paragraph (f) are deemed to be

of the same number as the Quoted Equity Securities to which they

may Convert, except that for the purpose of this calculation:

(i) in relation to the conversion ratio or conversion price, any

reference to the market price (however described) of the

underlying Quoted Equity Securities will instead be to the

Average Market Price, and

(ii) any provisions for early Conversion at the option of a holder

exercisable in limited circumstances (such as due to an

event of default or change of control or similar) using a

different formula or method will be disregarded.

4.14.2 Before an Issuer acquires its own Equity Securities, except from a holder

with a less than a Minimum Holding, the Issuer must give at least 3

Business Days’ notice through MAP. That notice must specify:

(a) a period of time not exceeding 12 months from the date of the notice


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

27 of 30


within which the Issuer will acquire Quoted Equity Securities, and

(b) the Class and maximum number of Quoted Equity Securities to be

acquired in that period.

An Issuer may vary or cancel a notice at any time, subject to providing 3

Business Days’ notice through MAP.

Rule 5.1 Disposal or Acquisition of Assets

5.1.1 An Issuer must not enter into any transaction, or a related series of

transactions, to acquire, sell, lease (whether as lessor or lessee),

exchange, or otherwise (except by way of charge) dispose of assets where

the transaction or related series of transactions:

(a) would significantly change, either directly or indirectly, the nature of

the Issuer‘s business, or

(b) involves a Gross Value above 50% of the Average Market

Capitalisation of the Issuer,

unless the transaction, or related series of transactions, is:

(c) approved by an Ordinary Resolution, or a special resolution if

approval by way of special resolution is required under section 129

of the Companies Act 1993, or

(d) conditional upon such approval required by paragraph (c) above.

Rule 5.2 Transactions with Related Parties

5.2.1 An Issuer must not enter into a Material Transaction if a Related Party is, or

is likely to become:

(a) a direct party to the Material Transaction, or

(b) a beneficiary of a guarantee or other transaction which is a Material

Transaction,

unless that Material Transaction is approved by an Ordinary Resolution

(such resolution being subject to the voting restrictions in Rule 6.3) or

conditional on such approval.

5.2.2 Rule 5.2.2 does not apply to:

(a) any transaction entered into by an Issuer with a Bank as principal,

on arm’s length terms and in the normal course of the Bank’s

banking business,

(b) the issue, acquisition or redemption of Financial Products, or the

provision of financial assistance in connection with the purchase of

Financial Products, or the payment of a distribution, where the

Issuer gives each holder of Financial Products of the Class in


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

28 of 30


question the opportunity to receive the same benefit in respect of

each Financial Product held (except to the extent that an issue

excludes holders outside New Zealand in accordance with

Rule 4.4.1(e)),

(c) the issue of Equity Securities by an Issuer under Rule 4.3.1(c) or

Rule 4.8,

(d) the issue of Equity Securities by an Issuer by way of an Accelerated

Offer under Rule 4.3.1(a), provided that:

(i) Directors of the Issuer, excluding any Director that is an

Associated Person of the Related Party, certify, in a form

acceptable to NZX, that:

(A) the terms of the Accelerated Offer are fair,

reasonable and in the best interests of the Issuer’s

Equity Security holders, other than the Related Party,

(B) the Issuer will pay and receive fair value under the

Accelerated Offer,

(C) the Issuer was not unduly influenced in its decision to

enter into the Accelerated Offer by the Related Party,

(D) the Related Party will be not be involved in, or

influence, any allocation decision in relation to any

bookbuild(s) undertaken in connection with the

Accelerated Offer, and

(E) the Related Party will derive no benefit as a result of

the Related Party relationship, other than solely

through participation in the Accelerated Offer on the

same terms and conditions as other Equity Security

holders or as an underwriter or sub underwriter on

commercial terms.

(e) an employment contract or contract for personal services which is a

Material Transaction, where:

(i) the terms of the contract are set on an arm’s length,

commercial basis and have been approved by the

Independent Directors of the Issuer,

(ii) the Independent Directors approving the contract sign and

provide to NZX (not for market release) a certificate stating

Rule 5.2.2(e)(i) has been complied with, and


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

29 of 30


(iii) material particulars of the contract (including the Issuer’s

use of this exception) are disclosed in the next annual report

of the Issuer,

(f) indemnification of a Director or Employee of the Issuer, or a Director

or Employee of a Related Body Corporate of the Issuer, which

would be a Material Transaction, where, at the time the indemnity is

to be granted, the relevant Director or Employee has not been

involved in proceedings, threatened proceedings or circumstances

in any capacity which are likely to result in a claim by them under

the indemnity,

(g) arrangements, amalgamations or compromises under Parts 13 or

15 of the Companies Act 1993,

(h) a Material Transaction that is an employment agreement with a

natural person who is not a Director of the Issuer, or

(i) a Material Transaction with:

(i) a total value of, or

(ii) in the case of paragraph (e) of the definition of Material

Transaction, a gross cost to the Issuer in any financial year

of,

$250,000 or less.

Rule 8.1 Transfer of Quoted Financial Products (common rules)

8.1.6 The Governing Document of an Issuer may:

......

(b) with the prior approval of NZX, incorporate any other provision

restricting the transfer of Relevant Interests in Financial Products, or

Appendix 3 Takeover provisions

1.1.1 In this Appendix 3 unless the context otherwise requires:

......

Restricted Transfer means:

(a) a Transfer which would result in the Votes

controlled by any person or group of

persons who are Associated Persons of


NZX REGULATION DECISION – 24 June 2019

30 of 30


each other, of any Class of Quoted Equity

Securities of an Issuer:

(i) exceeding 20% of the Votes

attached to that Class, or

(ii) if the person or group of persons

controls 20% or more of the Votes

attached to that Class, increasing by

more than 5% in any period of 12

months excluding increases as a

result of Transfers pursuant to a

Restricted Transfer notice previously

given by the person or group of

persons, together with

......

However, the purposes of this definition,

acquisition of interests in Equity Securities of an

Issuer may be disregarded:

(a)

where it is determined by NZX that the

acquisition was involuntary and

occasioned by the action of another party

over which the acquiring party had no

effective control or influence in the matter;

or

......

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.